All-New Volvo V40 Cross Country arrives in Australia

Built on the heritage that started with the V70 Cross Country in 1997, the V40 Cross Country is designed for those who want a sense of adventure in their everyday life.

“Volvo is undergoing a rapid change in its model line-up and the V40 Cross Country is the latest addition,” says Matt Braid, Managing Director Volvo Car Australia.

“Where the Volvo XC models happily flex their muscles, the V40 Cross Country boasts a sleek ruggedness with unique features integrated into the stylish Scandinavian design. When it comes to driving dynamics, the V40 Cross Country offers an attractive mix of sportiness and comfort.

“Put simply, it brings a distinctive blend of luxury and ruggedness to the premium small car sector.”

Inside, the interior is designed to offer the driver and passengers a spacious and relaxing Scandinavian atmosphere, with a strong emphasis on ergonomics, comfort and an engaging driving experience.

“There is a clear distinction between our XC and Cross Country models. The Volvo XC models have a distinct crossover character with unique body-styles including an elevated seating position, while the Cross Country models are expressive all-road versions of our dynamic wagons and hatchbacks,” explains Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President Product Strategy & Vehicle Line Management at Volvo Car Corporation.

Two engine variants of the All-New Volvo V40 Cross Country are being introduced to Australia: the V40 Cross Country T5 with All-Wheel Drive, and the V40 Cross Country D4, both specified in Luxury model level.

All-Wheel Drive enhances capability
The V40 Cross Country features class-leading driving dynamics with All-Wheel Drive available on the T5 petrol turbo to enhance the all-road, all-weather capability. The All-Wheel Drive system is the fifth generation Haldex system found in our other AWD models like the XC60.

The five-cylinder 2.5-litre T5 engine produces 187kW and 360Nm, and comes with a six-speed Adaptive Geartronic. This hardware helps the V40 Cross Country T5 AWD dispatch the 0-100km/h benchmark in just 6.4 seconds. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 8.4L/100km.

Fuel-efficient diesel
The five-cylinder 2.0-litre D4 turbodiesel has been optimised for fuel-efficient driving pleasure. It delivers 130kW, while the full 400Nm is available across a wide 1750-2750rpm. Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 8.3 seconds. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is just 5.3L/100km, while CO2 emissions are 139g/km.

As with the T5 AWD variant, the D4 also comes with the six-speed Adaptive Geartronic gearbox. Both engines also feature start-stop engine technology and braking energy regeneration to further minimise emissions.

Hill Descent Control
To make altitude-changing adventures more comfortable for the driver, the V40 Cross Country also features Hill Descent Control on the T5 AWD, allowing you to negotiate the steepest of slopes with confidence. Both models also come with a practical Hill Hold function that make pulling away up hills easy.

IntelliSafe – Safety Beyond Stars
The V40 Cross Country has a host of intuitive safety technologies designed to support your daily driving, protect you in the event of an accident, and often prevent collisions from happening in the first place. We call this IntelliSafe.

As with its cousin, the V40 Cross Country dominates the opposition with a full set of class-leading safety and driving innovations, including the world-first Pedestrian Airbag system, and cyclist detection.

The Technical Specification document gives a detailed overview of the car – including the optional Driver Support Pack – but some highlights include:

Pedestrian Airbag Technology – a world first
In order to mitigate the consequences if a collision with a pedestrian is unavoidable, the Cross Country features newly developed Pedestrian Airbag Technology, a world first.

Sensors in the front bumper register the physical contact between the car and the pedestrian. The rear end of the bonnet is released and at the same time elevated by the deploying airbag.

New Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection technology
New advanced software, including more rapid vision processing, has now made it possible to extend Volvo Cars’ present detection and auto brake technology to cover certain cyclist situations as well.

The new Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with full auto brake is equipped with an advanced sensor system that scans the area ahead. If a cyclist heading in the same direction as the car suddenly swerves out in front of the car as it approaches from behind and a collision is imminent, there is an instant warning and full braking power is applied.

The technology also detects if a pedestrian steps out into the road in front of the car. If the driver does not respond in time, the car can warn the driver and automatically activate the brakes. The V40 Cross Country can also detect, alert and automatically brake if the car risks colliding with another vehicle in front.

City Safety – now active up to 50km/h
The V40 Cross Country features the upgraded City Safety system. This system is active at speeds up to 50km/h. The car automatically brakes if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops – or if the car is approaching a stationary vehicle too fast.

Cross Traffic Alert – covering your back
Cross Traffic Alert uses the radar sensors at the rear end of the car to alert the driver to crossing traffic from the sides when reversing out of a parking space. This is especially helpful in tight and crowded areas where the side view might be limited due to infrastructure, vegetation or other parked cars.

Road Sign Information – an extra ‘eye’ on the traffic environment
Road Sign Information supports the driver by displaying road signs in the instrument display. Road Sign Information can be combined with the Speed Alert function, which provides the driver with a visual warning in the speedometer if the speed limit is exceeded.

Adaptive Cruise Control & Distance Alert – keeping the distance
The V40 Cross Country can be equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which promotes comfortable driving by using radar to automatically maintain a set time gap to the car in front. The Queue Assist function on cars with automatic gearbox maintains the set gap all the way down to standstill.

Park Assist Pilot – making parallel parking easy
The Park Assist Pilot makes parallel parking easy and precise by taking over and operating the steering wheel while the driver handles the gearbox and controls the car’s speed.

Lane Keeping Aid – active help to stay on course
Lane Keeping Aid helps the driver stay in the lane. This feature applies extra steering torque to the steering column when the car gets close to a lane marking and is about to leave the lane. The system is active at speeds between 65km/h and 200km/h.

Enhanced Blind Spot Information System – for better visibility
The V40 Cross Country offers the enhanced Blind Sport Information System (BLIS), which is radar-based. The technology can now also monitor and alert the driver to rapidly approaching vehicles up to 70m behind the car. Of course it still informs the driver about vehicles in the blind spots on both sides.

Active High Beam – more relaxed driving in the dark
The Active High Beam technology in the V40 Cross Country helps the driver utilise high beam more efficiently. It offers automatic switching between high and low beam at the right moment. This feature is part of the Driver Alert System.

Driver Alert System – detecting warning tired drivers
Driver Alert Control is designed to detect and warn tired drivers. The system can also cover other situations where the driver is distracted. Sensors register the car’s movements. The control unit stores the information and calculates whether the driver risks losing control of the vehicle.

The V40 Cross Country also features world-class crash safety including a safety cage with effective deformation zones and various grades of high-strength steel.

The driver’s side is also fitted with a knee airbag. It is installed in the dashboard above the pedals and deployed together with the other airbags in the event of a frontal collision.

Driver Support Pack
The optional Driver Support Pack brings a number of key safety technologies together in to a high-value pack. The pack includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Collision Warning and Full Auto Brake (CWAB); Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and Cross Traffic Alert (CTA); Driver Alert System (which includes Active High Beam, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Aid, Lane Departure Warning, and Road Sign Information); and Park Assist Pilot. All options and prices can be found on the Technical Specification sheet.

Versatility for open-ended adventures
The V40 Cross Country offers thrill-seeking customers the right versatility to bring both friends and kit along on an open-ended adventure.

The two-piece, 40/60, rear seat backrest can be easily folded. The load compartment can be equipped with a practical hanging load net. A soft safety net is optional and a steel version is available as an accessory.

The car can be equipped with a versatile ‘extra’ floor in the load compartment, ideal for stowing items you want kept out of sight.

As an option, the front passenger seat can be folded forward to create even more space. In addition to the two permanent hooks, the extra floor integrates hooks for bags.

The accessory range includes a Cargo Mat Organiser that keeps smaller items secure and in order, as well as a Load Organiser that includes a load compartment divider, a load belt and two floor rails.

Smart storage
Below the armrest is a storage compartment suitable for CDs and other small items. It also features Bluetooth® phone connectivity with audio streaming, and a connector for either USB/iPod or AUX, depending on the audio system specified. The armrest can be adjusted to provide extra support for the driver. Two cup-holders and a 12V power outlet are integrated in the console in front of the armrest.

The cooled glove compartment includes space for two soft-drinks cans or bottles that are kept cool with cold air from the Electronic Climate Control system.

Other convenient features include:

•Height adjustable headrests on the front seats and the centre rear seat.
•Optional sunglass compartment above the driver’s door.
•A penholder in the glove compartment.
•Integrated cup holder in the rear seat.
•Handy storage under the instrument panel, on the front seat cushions, on the front seat backrests and on the outside of the rear seats.

Seven different mood light options
The interior lighting is designed to give a ‘theatre lighting’ feel. LED lamps are used to light up strategic areas. The driver can enjoy a red-to-blue setting that adapts the light to the interior temperature – or choose between another seven mood themes. The reading lights front and rear can be dimmed.

The Volvo V40 Cross Country D4 Luxury is priced at $47,990* while the V40 Cross Country T5 AWD is $52,990*

The V40 Cross Country is built in Volvo Car Group’s production plant in Ghent, Belgium. Volvo Car Group expects to sell 17,000 units per year of the new Volvo V40 Cross Country.

Anthony Hood – Freelance Contributor
Anthony is an avid motoring and photography enthusiast. His interests lie in performance cars, street rods, drag racing, 4WDriving and camping, burn out competitions, circuit racing and hill climbs. He is our resident hoon with heaps of experience.
Married with two children and a qualified diesel mechanic and fitter, he has worked in the industry since leaving school over 16 years ago. His sheds are full of race cars and engines in various stages of working order.
Anthony doesn’t get caught up in the marketing hype of the automotive industry and is fairly blunt. He brings a very laid back approach to reviewing vehicles.

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